Friday, February 25, 2011

Awesome New Tote Bag

I used different parts of the tote bag and drawstring pouch patterns to create this tote bag.  I am so proud of it.  It took a long time to make, but I think it was worth it.  I don't want to say who it's for, but someone special will be getting this for her birthday!


Sewing Class #3

I made the CUTEST little drawstring pouch in sewing class today.  It took about an hour and was super easy.



The lining is a printed adhesive fabric that you iron on.  I wish I could have bought some, but the store doesn't carry it.  I may have to look on line for some.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

New Sewing Store and Little Pouch

I found out that the store I go to is a franchise with another location closer to my apartment.  I decided to go there today and check it out.  The minute I walked in, I could tell I was the first foreigner to step foot in that store.  I think you could have heard a pin drop.  The shop owner and her four student stopped dead and stared at me.  A second later they recovered and the owner was bombarding me with questions in Korean.  I'm not sure exactly what she was asking, but I think it was along the lines of "How did you find out about this store?" and "Why are you here?"  I told her I was here to shop and that I found her on the internet.  As for her other questions, I have no idea.

The selection at this store was much smaller than the other one I go to.  I was able to find some new stuff.  One of which was a 12 cm. squeeze purse frame.  I bought 3 because I have a few different patterns for them.  I made one when I got back to the school.  I liked to way it turned out, but I'm finding out that small projects often take more time that big ones.

I took a picture with my hand to show the size.  When you squeeze the sides the top springs open.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Totes, Totes, and more Totes

So my sewing club has been making tote bags for the past 3 meeting times.  I keep forgetting that even though it only takes me about 20-30 minutes to make a tote bag, children need about 5 times longer.  LOL.  After the girls left, I decided to work on some of my own.  I used fabric from our shopping trip last week.  I'm really happy with the way they turned out!

 I love that this fabric is printed on both sides!

These bears are too cute!!!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Lunch Box Basket #2

I loved this pattern so much that I had to make another one.  I like this one, but I wish I had used the floral pattern for the sides.  Still cute though!



New Purse

Here is a new purse pattern I tried on Friday.  I need to go to the store to find a handle strap.  It's from the same Japanese sewing book as the lunchbox basket.  I am LOVING these books!

T-Shirt Reconstruction

I needed to test out an idea for my sewing girls this weekend.  I asked one of my coworkers if her daughters had any t-shirt they had outgrown.  She brought in two for me to play with.  Here is one of the dresses I made.

 before

after

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Lunch Box Basket

So, one of the Japanese sewing books I got this week had the cutest pattern for a lunch basket.  I think this basket was easier than the little pouch I did the other night.  LOL.  I still need to sew in the lining but I'm very happy with the way it turned out!



Sewing Class #2: Tote Bag

I went to my next sewing class today.  It was REALLY busy in the store.  I think there were 6 of us sewing.  No one (of course) spoke English.  I don't know that much Korean, but I know enough to know that they were talking about me.  Nothing bad.  It was along the lines of "Try to talk to her" "No, my English isn't very good."  "Look at her purse.  I think she made it."  "Why is she in the beginning sewing class then?  One of her friends must have made it." yak, yak, yak.  I tried to explain in my VERY broken Korean that yes, I did make my purse; no, I'm not a beginning sewer, my grama and mom taught me; yes, I know how to use an overlock (serger).  I was really shocked that they understood me.  Buy the end we were laughing and having a great time.  It's nice to get away from the KFS area once in a while.

The tote bag turned out great.  I love the pattern.  It's a bit different than other patterns.  You sew the sides wrong side together first, then turn it so the right sides are together.  This creates a nice, tidy seam on the outside and inside of the bag.  I was a little bummed after I took some pics of it.  I saw that the pocket was crooked.  The teacher pinned it.  I'm trying to decide if I want to rip it out and redo it.  What do you think?

Thursday, February 17, 2011

New Zipper Pouch

I tried the Clover pouch kit.  I was NOT as easy as I thought it would be.  I guess it would have been easier if the instructions were in English.  This little fella took me about 3 hours.  I would also use a shorter zipper and add tabs to each end to make it easier to sew.  I think I'm going to try it again and make a few adjustments.  I'll keep you all posted.



Shopping Trip and New Goodies

Well, my sewing girls have been dying to go to the fabric market with me.  So today 8 students, 4 mothers, and I went shopping.  After walking FOREVER to get across the street (I couldn't jay walk with all those people) and going up the wrong flight of stairs, we finally got to the fabric spots I like.  I don't think the owners knew what to think of all of us.  LOL.  Here are some of the goodies I got today.


I also ordered some things online and received them today.



I ordered a whole bunch of Japanese sewing books.  It's a good thing the pictures are detailed or I'd be completely lost.  I have already picked out some that I want to work on first.



I also found this Clover package for sewing small zipper pouches.  This is soooooooo cool!!!!  You can use the same template to make 7 different pouches.  I think I may do a couple of these tomorrow.  The website had 1 or 2 more of these packages.  If I like this one, I may order the others as well.  We'll see how it goes.


Bamboo Tote Bag ***Complete***

I received my bamboo handles today!  So, after much anticipation, the tote bag is complete!!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Progress

The bamboo handle tote bag came together very nicely.  I wish I had bought the bamboo handles last Friday.  I may run back to the sewing store tomorrow to pick them up.  That is the last step to finish the bag.  Here is a picture of what I have so far.  More pics to come once it's complete.

Sneak Peak

I started a new project today.  I am making a bamboo handle tote bag.  I'm using some of the fabric I bought on Friday.  I got the pattern all copied and cut out.  Tomorrow morning, I'll be ready to cut and piece the fabric.  Here is a picture of the fabric I'm using and the bag.


Tiny Pouch

I modified the triangular pouch pattern in an attempt to make a small coin pouch for my nephew.  I'm not sure how I like it.  I fused the fabric together using some Wonder Under, but I don't like how the seams show.  The fabric however, is ADORABLE!



Some New Goodies

On Friday I had a chance to buy some new goodies at the local sewing store.  They had some new fabric and I decided I needed some more zippers.  I also got some more tote bag strap material.  Here are some pics.





Saturday, February 12, 2011

My First Sewing Class

I started going to sewing class at a local store here in Gwangju.  Both the teacher and I were a little nervous because she knows about as much English as I know Korean.  All in all, I think it went really well.  Most sewing words in Korean are English words and luckily I am not really a beginner.  The first project was a binder cover for the class project binder.  I think it turned out LOVELY!  What do you think?

 I know, the lace is a bit crooked.  But, she was the one who glued it on.  I'm trying not to let it bother me, but the perfectionist inside is dying to rip it out and redo it.

Monday, February 7, 2011

7 Days, 15 Projects, and 2 Seasons of Sons of Anarchy Later

I think I have done more sewing in the past week than I did all fall!  Here is a picture of all the projects I've done during Lunar New Year.

Lunar New Year Day #5

Today I made the two pouches for my other sister, Missy.  I really like these, so I hope she does!




I also decided to give the triangular pouch another try.  I always carry tissues, lip balm, lotion, etc. in my purse.  So, I decided to make a pouch that matches the purse I finished last weekend.  Here is how it turned out!



I guess the pattern is growing on me.  LOL.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lunar New Year Day #4

Today was a slow day for sewing.  I didn't get as much done as I wanted to.  My friends came and dragged me out of my room.  I started out trying a new pattern I found online for a triangular pouch.  It can be found on craftster.  I wanted to test it out because I was thinking about making one for each of my sisters.  It was easy to make, but in the end I decided to make a different style pouch.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the way the pouch turned out.  I highly recommend making one for yourself!





Here are two of the pouches I made for one of my sisters today.  I combined a bunch of patterns to come up with these.  I am REALLY happy with these.  I am going to make two for my other sister, and then may have to make a set for myself.